Board Names Elementary #6 – LaRue Miller Elementary
Midlothian ISD News Release
September 18, 2007

LaRue Miller

On September 17, 2007, the Board of Trustees approved the elementary #6 naming committee's recommendation to name the school LaRue Miller Elementary. The campus is located on 2800 Sudith Lane and is scheduled to open August 2008.

Mrs. Miller grew up in Midlothian and attended school during a time of segregation. Because she was not allowed to graduate from Midlothian at the time, she attended school in Waxahachie, where she graduated. She started her teaching career in Midlothian ISD at the school for African-American students, when schools were still segregated. She was one of four teachers who transferred to the integrated schools, and she stayed with MISD until her retirement in 1994.

Mrs. Miller was married to the late Arthur Miller, who was a teacher in Midlothian ISD. Their daughter currently lives in Abilene, TX and their grandson is attending the University of North Texas.

Mrs. Miller served Midlothian ISD as a teacher for 45 years. With an average of 20 children in a class, she reached more than 900 students in her years of teaching. Mrs. Miller continues to support MISD through substitute teaching, in both long and short-term assignments. In addition, she is a founding donor of the MISD Education Foundation and serves as a current board member.

Artist sketch of LaRue Miller Elementary, currently under construction.

Personal accounts from her former students exemplify her ability to see the potential in all students and maintain high expectations for each of them. One student recounts how shy and insecure she was as a young student and how she preferred to not be noticed; yet Mrs. Miller had the ability to recognize when each child was struggling and needed those extra words of encouragement. She had an innate ability to inspire students to higher levels of achievement, showing them that they all were special in their individual ways and giving them a long-lasting impression of how they could meet and conquer each life challenge to come.

Not only has Mrs. Miller been an inspiration to previous students and teachers in Midlothian, but she also continues to serve the community and district to this day. Her incredible legacy (and the ability to still learn from LaRue) will motivate and inspire teachers to be an educator as dedicated and respected as she. Having an elementary school named after an individual who is still active within the district and community will allow students the opportunity to see Mrs. Miller‚ her love and dedication at work, and utilize that example as a continued means of motivation to succeed.

LaRue Miller is a very humble individual who has education, the well-being of students, and a love for the community at the heart of all that she does. Naming a school after Mrs. Miller is a tremendous testimony to her years of dedication and service.